Is Ralph Fiennes a lock for B23?

http://www.bond23.net/020110521/rumors-suggest-ralph-fiennes-has-signed-on-to-james-bond-23/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+007NewsAndRumors+%28007+News+and+Rumors+from+the+new+James+Bond+movie%29&utm_content=Twitter

According to fans posting on a James Bond discussion forum the British star of Schindler’s List, The Constant Gardner and the Harry Potter series has signed on to James Bond as of last week.

Here is what a user of ajb007 posted about the news:

I had a meeting with Sony Australia reps on Wednesday and they confirmed Ralph Fiennes for Bond 23 while talking about their 2011/2012 lineup. Apparently he signed last week, and Sony were most pleased with Ralph joining the film. Straight from the horses mouth so to speak

…and in a later post it was mentioned:

It was casually mentioned that he would be a villain.

Interesting and exciting, though I'll wait for the official confirmation before I become exceedingly elated :D

Should we start a non-official Bond 23 "confirmed" cast thread. Updated as we learn new names. We can always delete names that ultimately don't pan out, but Fiennes for exampe based on the info we have and even Bardem could be included.It would be more like a working list.